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2017 in Summary

As December gallops toward its celebratory end, take a moment to reflect on the opportunities for growth that 2017 has presented you with, just as we’re doing here at CultureMate.

We’re currently rolling out the new 2016 Census Data, we’ve transferred our interfaith calendar to an online format and re-vamped our CultureMate and JMAwebsites; we’ve expanded our team and have begun to work with some exciting new NFP, health and community partners, on projects with broad cultural implications.

It has been a big year and we are looking forward to recharging over the coming break and returning refreshed and ready to take on whatever it is that 2018 has in store for us!

Australia says ”Yes”
One of the most recent highlights of 2017 for Australians was the resounding ‘Yes’ to gay marriage rights and the passing of this bill in parliament. Though the discussion preceding the vote was challenging for many people, the unequivocal demonstration of the nation’s opinion paved the way for sweeping changes in both a statutory and a cultural capacity. That initial decision was of profound significance for many Australians; politicians, workers, families, the LGBTIQ community and young people. You can relive one of the more emotional moments of the vote here.

Congratulations Vinh!!

We would also like to congratulate a young member of our CultureMate community, Vinh Nguyen of John Monash College, on his award-winning work in furthering our ability to embrace diversity and inclusion through a deepening intercultural understanding. Vinh and his team are pictured above with Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training. Vinh and a number of his student peers won State Historians of the Year for their work on the history of Asian immigration in Australia. You can read evidence of their excellent scholarship here. Congratulations Vinh!

A time to reflect
We also take a moment to consider how we can welcome and include people from diverse backgrounds, for whom this time of year may not necessarily be festive, but with whom we can share the warmth and care that is the spirit of Christmas. Below is a joyful story that exemplifies this spirit; the story of an Indian restaurant owner in Queensland who throws open his doors on Christmas Day, to share food with those who have little or who are without family, in gratitude for the support from his community. Read more of this family’s remarkable story here.

This time of year is a great opportunity for reflection on the myriad traditions and celebrations for people of various faiths and cultures; such as Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights on the 12th of December, the Italian La Befana on the feast of the Epiphany, the 6th of January; Heiliger Abend in Germany on the 24th of December, and Timkat in Ethiopia on the 19th of January, which celebrates the baptism of Jesus. Check out our calendar for more info.

Thanks!!!

Thank you for being part of the CultureMate experience this year. We give thanks for the opportunities of 2017, and look forward with joy to an expansive and abundant 2018. We wish you and your families a very happy holiday season, and a joyful and safe New Year.

2017 so far…

August already! The first half of this year has flown – it has been a busy and productive start to 2017. We have been busily preparing for the Census update,expanding our team and updating our platform.

ABS Census Update

Exciting times here, as we get stuck into the new Census data!

We are working hard to be one of the first organisations to have this data available to our clients – Please note that although the first round of data has been released, we are still waiting on the ABS to release more detailed tables. We will be uploading as soon as the data comes to hand so stay tuned!

Website Update

Excitingly, our Interfaith calendar has now been transferred to an online format – you can view upcoming events and download the calendar from our CultureMate website. A great resource and free – Make sure to check it out here!

We’d like to welcome Jane O’Grady, to the team!!!

We are so excited to welcome Jane to our little team. Jane has spent her adult life in a permanent state of cultural curiosity, having lived in Germany and Italy for ten years and wholeheartedly embracing both languages and cultures. In between adventures she has completed various studies: a BA in foreign languages and a Masters of Language Teaching at the University of Melbourne.

Her current project is a Masters of Applied Linguistics in Italian studies, while teaching Italian full-time at a secondary school. Her long-term vision involved working as a cultural consultant, and consequently she is excited to be on board at JMA – she will be a valuable addition to our training and CultureMate development team!

Referral Program

As a small organisation, we rely heavily on word of mouth to spread the word about our services. If you know anyone that may benefit from our services (Training, Resource Development, Design or Communications, please pass on our new website details – we have a generous referral program that rewards our supporters. Contact us to find out how you can get involved.

Licence Sale!!

Prior to the census upload, we are offering all new subscribers a discount of 30% for a 3 year subscription. Contact us to register your interest or book in a no-obligation demonstration.

Hard to believe it’s already that time of the year again – and what a year it has been!

We are happily relocated at our new East Brunswick office and making the most of the wonderful, multicultural foods on offer in the new neighbourhood – yum!!!

What great news it was last week when we heard Saad Al-Kassab’s inspirational story. Saad Al-Kassab is a Syrian refugee who only started learning English in 2014 after fleeing Homs. In 2016, only 2 years later, he has made national news by graduating as dux of Catholic Regional College in Sydenham – one of Australia’s largest secondary Catholic schools.

He graduated this month, top of his class, with an ATAR of 96.65. This made him place in the top 97.9 per cent of Year 12 students completing their VCE. Find out more about this remarkable young man here.

An amazing, inspirational effort and a great story to cap off 2016 – Congratulations Saad Al-Kassab!!

To all of our valued clients and associates, thank you for joining us this year on our journey to make sure everyone, no matter how they arrived in Australia can take an active role in nation building as citizens, workers, parents, students, neighbours….

Best wishes from all of the CultureMate® team. We look forward to working with you next year.